Here are the most recent questions concerning architectural issues that some of our readers have asked recently Browse through to find answers to similar questions you may have. These have been answered by our expert panel of architects.
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Queries ::
- Different kinds of wood polish available in the market
- Using cost effective lighting in the house
- Improving quality of the surface of walls without POP
- Separating wet area from dry area in the bathroom attractively
- Best furniture for use in patio?
- Difference between normal marble and Italian variety
- Clash of styles between different rooms
- Putting concrete poles on river touch property
- Wallpaper v/s Painting of walls
- Using empty space below stairway
- Mainenance-free, yet durable material for external facade
- Occupation of house before obtaining Certificate
Q.
We have a lot of wood used in our house, which is in need
of polishing. However, I am worried about the maintenance of it. Please
let me know about the different kinds of polish available in the market
that are durable and yet give a good finish? Badal Asthana, (Delhi)
A: The best polish is the
one that brings out the grains of the timber. The most commonly used is
'French polish', which is transparent and glossy. However, different degrees
of glaze can be obtained by adding varying amounts of wax in the polishing
mix. Another type of polish is the 'Melamine' polish which is hard, smooth
and slightly matt. This is more water-resistant than French polish. You
can also obtain different degrees of darkness by varying the amount of
stainer mixed in the polish (both types). (Arch. Jose Noronha)
Q. Can
you suggest how best I could use cost effective lighting in my house?
I have been given to understand that it's very popular to use concealing
spot lights, but my house is an old Goan house having tile roof with a
high ceiling and is dark inside. Anuj Kunder (Karnataka)
A. Lights play a very important
role in the designing of a house. Old Goan Houses had poor natural lighting,
to protect the inhabitants from harsh weather conditions. Today, one can
have large protected windows for natural light during the day, and use
terracotta lights or paper lanterns during the nights. These cost effective
lights are available in Goa. Concealed spot lights are used in false ceilings,
which are installed now a days, to reduce the height of a room, which
may be air-conditioned. (Arch. Rita M. Joshi)
Q. The
walls of my sister's flat are rough and very uneven at places. She was
told to get POP work done in order to improve the condition of the walls.
She is hesitant as POP is a messy affair. Could you suggest ways to improve
the quality of the surface of the walls apart from resorting to POP. Sagar
Goyal (M.P)
A. Generally internal plaster
is done in two coats. The base coat is cement based while the external
finishing coat can be lime based or a synthetic putty or cement based
putty or Plaster of Paris. The finishing coats vary in thickness depending
on the type. Assuming that the base coat was uneven and smoothness of
the surface is required, this can be achieved through the finishing coat
and the thicker the coat the better will be the leveling of the wall surface.
Plaster of Paris can best achieve this as it can be applied to greater
thickness than most finishing coats.
Alternatively if a textured surface is acceptable then one can consider
textured paints or panelling for the walls that are uneven. The textured
paint would disguise the uneven surface. Such paints are now available
from a number of companies with instructions on how to apply. (Arch.
Armino Rebeiro)
Q. I am building a new house. The master bedroom has an attached bathroom, the area of which is 14'x7'. I wish to separate the wet area from the dry area, by using a frameless glass partition, for the shower area. Is this advisable? If so, how best can I use the glass that will serve the purpose as well as make the bathroom look attractive? Fatima Da Cunha (Dona Paula)
A. Glass
partitioning is a modern trend and comparatively costly. Use of glass
depends upon one's liking and fancy.
Method of using the glass will depend upon the internal layout of toilet
block and position of shower cubicle and can be best decided on site in
consultation with the architect/interior designer. (Arch. S. N. Bhobe)
Q. We have a cosy little patio in our recently built house. I would like to know what kind of furniture I could use in the patio, which looks chic and is pragmatic as well, unlike ghastly plastic moulded furniture. Savio Castelino (Nachinola)
A. Opinion about what is
'Chic', 'pragmatic' or 'ghastly' will vary from person to person.
For one who thinks plastic furniture ghastly, I suggest a visit to any
Furniture section of a large Mall or Showroom or an exclusive Furniture
Exhibition often held in various parts where variety of wooden ,cane,
metal furniture 'modern to antique types', 'imported brands to local imitative
styles', 'costly to moderately priced' will be available to choose as
per liking. ( Arch. S. N. Bhobe)
Q. Please enlighten me on the difference between normal marble and the Italian variety, as I want to change the flooring of my spacious living room. Francisco Dias (Caranzalem)
A. Qualitatively Italian marble is considered to be one of the best marbles – for flooring, for ornamental items as well as for statues. Apart from its hardness and density, it also offers a wide range of colours, shades, patterns, streaks and grains. It also has an imperial appearance and long lasting shine. And of course, it is very expensive marble – basic cost being Rs. 350/- per sq ft and above, as against a good quality Indian marble which costs about Rs. 150/- per sq ft and above. From functional point of view, the difference between Italian marble and its good quality domestic counterpart is only marginal. However, from the point of view of appearance and social acceptance, Italian marble has become a symbol of status and class these days. Most of the 5-star hotels make ample use of it – and so do the affluent sections of the society for their spacious villas. Use of Italian marble for your spacious living room will indeed give it a classy look. It would be worth mentioning here that, while using the Italian marble, you must first thoroughly clean it exposing the even micro pores and fissures in the stones, treat the surface with a good quality sealant chemical and, at the end, give it a lacquer finish, to get the best result – visually and aesthetically. The above treatment will also prevent the marble from absorbing any liquid (like tea, coffee etc.) fallen on the floor and thereby ensure a stainless surface with long-lasting luster….. You must, hence employ a good contractor who knows his job well. This would make the expenses incurred by you worthwhile. (Arch S. P. Deshpande)
Q. I have a fairly new home. It's a cute little cottage by the riverside & I am content with its décor. The only problem is the master bedroom. It does not go well with the ultra modern setting of the rest of the house. I've been thinking of renovating it. Could you give me some useful tips, especially a concept of a little seating area that I want, since the bedroom is quite large? Steven Monteiro (Aldona)
A. The clash of styles in the Master Bedroom vis-à-vis the rest of the house could be due to many reasons-furniture, flooring, painting, furnishings... If you change the clashing element, it might do the trick. Regarding the furniture layout of the bedroom, if the bed is in one zone, the seating area should be separated from it by an 'invisible' circulation path. Though both zones should get ample light and ventilation, if not possible the bed could remain away from the window as it will be used mainly at night. (Arch. Jose Noronha)
Q. I have a 5000m2 river touch property in Camurlim and the width is 20mts, I want to put concrete poles along the boundary to secure my property, can I do so? Manish Hede (Panaji)
A. There is no problem to put concrete poles to demarcate your property. Incase you want to have GI wire along the poles as a means of fencing then permission has to be taken from town & country planning dept. (Arch. Siddharth Naik)
Q. Our house is undergoing renovation. The trouble is we cannot finalize what's to be done to the walls. While my husband wants to use wall paper, I would like the walls to be painted in light pastel shades. Please let me know the advantages & disadvantages of both painting as well as using of wall paper, in terms of durability as well as maintenance. Also do let me know if it is advisable to use wall paper on an old steel cupboard (without a mirror) to make it look attractive? Pallavi Sharma (Siolim)
A. Using wall paper externally is out of question. Internally yes, but not all over, it is costly, not that durable and difficult to maintain specially if children are around. Painting the house in light pastel shades is advisable; there is nothing wrong using wall paper on an old steel cupboard. (Arch. Guilherme Gomes)
Q. We have a ground plus one house. The stairs leading to the top floor are located in the living room. Could you advise me on how best to utilize the empty space below the stairway to make the place look attractive? Sujeet Kashalkar (Bambolim)
A. The area under the stairs
could be used as a display for curios or books. This space could also
sport an aquarium or a water fountain with indoor plants. (Arch. Siddharth
Naik)
Q. My new house is almost complete & looks good. They are now starting on the external façade. Please suggest materials available in the market, that I can use, which are maintenance free, yet durable and where I can get hold of them. Vijay Korgaonkar (Canacona)
A. As an architect it is very difficult to tender abstract advice to a particular site without having any drawings or physical look at the same. I am sure your consultant would be the best person to advice you on the same as he must have advised you right through the construction as your house is now almost ready. (Arch Tulio De Souza)
Q. I bought a plot and built a house on it. I believe that I have constructed the house without violating any laws / legalities. I have applied for an occupancy certificate. The authorities are asking me for an unaffordable donation and I'm stuck. If I go to the director of the panchayat and file a case, will I be able to get the said certificate? How long will the procedure take? In the meanwhile, can I start living in the house? Ramesh Talwar (Lucknow)
A.. It is not very clear for your query whether you have obtained a construction license before building your house, as an issue of an Occupancy Certificate relates to completing a house as per the approved plans. If the authorities concerned are on record about seeking a donation from you relating to the Occupancy Certificate you need to report the same as it constitutes a corrupt practice. (Arch Tulio De Souza)
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